Iran: ICRC provides relief supplies for earthquake victims

30-12-2003 News Release 03/84

Geneva (ICRC) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has donated a sizeable consignment of relief goods to the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) in support of its efforts to help the victims of last Friday's devastating earthquake in Bam.

The ICRC cargo arrived on 23 trucks and has now been delivered to IRCS branches near the city. Supplies included 1,500 family tents, 13,800 family food parcels, 11,000 blankets and nearly 4,500 paraffin heaters. An ICRC-chartered plane is expected to land in Iran later today carrying a further 32 tonnes of relief items, including 8,000 blankets and enough medical supplies to treat several thousand casualties. The total value of the goods is approximately 800,000 Swiss francs.

The ICRC is also sending a family tracing specialist with several satellite telephones to the city. He will work with the IRCS to help survivors re-establish contact with their families.

The ICRC is managing operations from its Teheran delegation and is working closely with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The Federation is co-ordinating the relief efforts of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement in the earthquake zone.